1. British Mercantile Policies in the American Colonies
Colonial America Economy

2. Economic Overview Regional economic systems: New England
Subsistence farming; family farms
Crops: oats, rye, corn
Livestock: sheep, hogs, cattle
OTHER: Fishing, fur, lumber, shipping, trade
Social & political features:
Towns & seaport cities
Village clustered around green: close-knit
Common Puritan values
Town meetings (“direct democracy”)

3. Economic Overview (cont.)
Middle Colonies
Larger farms: wheat, rye, barley
Small cities and towns for trade, shipping
Social & political
Towns & cities (seaports)
Clustered villages & outlying farms
Southern Colonies
Larger plantations: tobacco, rice, indigo
Few cities, scattered towns (more isolated)

4. Common Ties Starting in a “new land” 90% engaged in agriculture
Mostly English heritage (language, laws, traditions, etc.)
Everywhere labor is needed
Indentured servants
Immigration
Slaves

5. Slaves Below Deck

6. Ad: Sale of Indentured Servants (Just Arrived)

7. Colonial Economic Policy: Mercantilism
Purpose:
Reduce competition
Build wealth & power (silver, gold, colonies)
Raw materials & new markets
Economic self-sufficiancy
Navigation Acts
Br./Amer. Ships & crew
Imports from Europe go thru London- taxed
Enumerated products: go to England

8. Effects of Mercantilism
Promoted shipbuilding & trade
Tobacco: protected market
Br. Navy protects
Not always enforced
Some limits on manufacturing.
Tobacco higher price elsewhere
Buying manufactured goods from Engl. $$$$

9. Colonial Board of Trade
Controlled trade & colonial affairs
Expanded “enumerated” list
Passed restrictive manufacturing laws
Prohibited use of paper currency
Ineffective enforcement (smuggling)
Officials could be bribed
Period of “salutary neglect”: